Miami football alums feel more appreciated and wanted under Manny Diaz according to former Hurricanes linebacker Rohan Marley.
Mark Richt set the foundation for the Miami football program and Manny Diaz is going the renovations. In an interview conducted with former Miami linebacker, Rohan Marley at Paradise camp, the son of reggae legend Bob Marley told Christopher Stock of inside the U that he did not feel invited in previous years.
Marley did not specify what he meant by “previous years.” The criticism during Al Golden’s tenure as Miami head coach was that he did not include players from the illustrious past of the Miami football program. Richt created the U Network for football alums when he returned to his alma mater in 2015.
Getting the former players involved is a critical part of any college football program. The player essentially ran Paradise Camp coaching up the players. Jeremy Shockey worked with tight ends, Michael Irvin gave the opening speech and Cleveland Browns vice president Alonzo Highsmith was in attendance for the first time.
The alumni in attendance interacted with the families of the future Hurricanes at Paradise Camp as well. Marley is still clearly emotionally connected to Miami.
"“It’s nice that we’re invited…We never really felt invited in the previous years, but now the school is taking it upon themselves to invite us and give us some time so we can come and talk to the players and motivate them.Because if we lose a game we are hurting. We hurt because we wish we could give these guys some energy so we love that we can be here now, see in their eyes, and give them a little push.”"
Not getting Miami alums involved is wasting the valuable resource of players collectively that has accomplished more than most schools. In his opening speech, Irvin said you can pick the brains of national champions, Heisman Trophy winners and Super Bowl winners. Recruits will pay attention to alums with those credentials.
The excitement that Diaz has brought to The New Miami was not lost on Marley. He spoke to Stock about the impact that Diaz has made in his six months as head coach.
"“At Miami we love a players’ coach…Manny Diaz is a players’ coach meaning he wants the players—we’re here for school, but when we’ve got Florida State coming up, I’m not thinking about math class.I’m thinking about Florida State and the coaches allow you to get a little free time to really get your mind right to play against Florida State or Florida Gators or Notre Dame. He’s a players’ coach and he loves for the players to have fun so we love that.It’s nice to see how the program is growing and the players have more leisure now this time. They’re practicing in the A/C (at the Soffer Indoor Practice Facility) and they can practice at any time. They can practice at 9 o’clock at time. It’s cool. I like it. It’s a ‘New Miami.’”"
Irvin, Marley and the rest of the Miami alums in town for Paradise Camp have emphasized although Miami coaches through the years have allowed their teas to have fun, without the hard work put in off the field and at practice, they would have never risen to national champions.